I met the most interesting and fun people recently, one of them a particularly vibrant member of the blogging community. One of our common denominators (and very relative to this particular post) is “car-dancing”. Actually – it is very difficult to give what we do a singular name that encompasses this culture. “Car-dancing” (if you can think of a better name for it, please let me know) is born from an overflow of joy, optimism, a super good mood (naturally), and of course – the right beat. We dance in our cars – sometimes much better than we could ever do on a real dance-floor, and it is potentially ego-damaging when eye contact is made with other drivers on the road midway through a “Shoop Shoop Song” rendition that would make Cher proud…or meeting “are you stark-raving mad?!” stares while jamming to a club-thumping, hip-hopping master beat, while in standstill traffic.
Sometimes car-dancing is a phenomenon that is born from the total unwillingness to let external situations determine your clarity of mind or the way you feel. When I’m stuck in an early morning traffic jam I turn it into a music video – even if I’m the only actor/singer/songwriter/producer. My new fellow “car-dancer” has the uncanny ability to spot “scenes” when she is on the road: the sunlight hitting a mirror, a bird in mid flight swooping across her windscreen can inspire her to the point of utter frustration for being stuck in traffic during the “golden hours” of the day. These are the times of day with the best lighting for photography – early morning and late afternoon. She would much rather be out and about with her camera harvesting amazing shots. And yet, I believe it is these moments when we become a captive audience to the splendour and majesty of the beauty that surrounds us (sometimes in the smallest things) that tiny seeds of potential are being unlocked in our hearts and minds. It may be frustrating, but I don’t believe for one second that it is “worthless”.
Because I “car-dance” I arrive at work inspired, motivated and (most importantly) up-beat and ready for anything. Because she “car-dances” AND does “scene spotting” – she arrives at work creatively stimulated and ready for her day as an inspired graphic designer. It might not always feel like these seemingly insignificant habits really have a lasting effect on us. But think about how much time you send on the road, and then how you spend this time. Are you communicating in your own sign language to fellow road users? Are you rehearsing your disappointments over and over and thinking yourself into a depression? Or are you “present” in the moment – you just colour it differently?
Of course we focus on the road and we drive safely – but we also see more than just the tar and metal in front of us. We all live in this crazy beautiful world – we have the same grass (some might be greener, yes, depending on who waters their lawn more), the same sky – sometimes grey, sometimes blue, sometimes starlit. In essence, no one escapes the world we live in – it doesn’t matter who you are or where you live – we are all privy to the same “scenes”. The difference is in how we look at things. I have another photographer friend who has the wonderful ability to find the beauty in almost everything he sees, and from there he captures it. (So let’s see, we now have the car-dancer, the scene spotter, and the beauty hunter – read carefully now, beauty – not booty! Although that could make an interesting song title…)
The point I’m trying to make is that, if we live in awe of the beauty around us – in all its shapes, sizes and forms, it acts as a catalyst for the beauty deposited IN us. When we follow our passion, when we do silly things that make us feel inspired or motivated, when we are true to who we are in the most positive sense of the concept – we live fearlessly. I used to be very uncomfortable when I have to meet new people and I have to decide what to wear, how to do my hair etc. etc. Not because of vanity – but due to the need to fit in. But who says we always have to “fit in”? Why wear something you don’t feel “right” in, just to conform? (P.S. This does not apply for killer heels…I love my heels even when they get uncomfortable, sometimes – although I will never admit it outside of the sanctity of this blog.) If, at a social, everyone wears jeans and you wear a dress (in context) there is nothing wrong. Just leave your tiara at home if it’s casual, ladies – we know we are all princesses. 
Don’t downplay your beauty or be scared to look your best, feel your best and ultimately BE you best. You might just inspire someone else to be the best version on themself in process. Liberty feels good and is contagious – just like heartfelt laughter, I have learnt.
This is a brilliant quote by Dr Seuss:
“Today you are you, that’s truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than You!”
Now get your Monday Mojo on! Learn from your past, be better than you were yesterday and embrace your lingering weirdness – it’s mostly just “youness”.
